On this eight-day journey, the travel guide takes you to some of the most (in)famous locations in Holland’s history. You will meet people who tell you stories from the period leading up to WWII, the occupation of Holland, the battles, and the eventual liberation in 1945.

From Amsterdam to Maastricht

In Amsterdam, you will board the Magnifique IV. We will visit the Verzetsmuseum (Resistance Museum) and Hollandse Schouwbrug. In WWII, the theater served as a deportation center. Today it is a commemorative center. After lunch on board, the ship departs for the lovely town of Wijk bij Duurstede overlooking the Rhine.

Operation Market Garden and war graves

Along the route to Arnhem, we will stop in Wageningen to visit the famous Hotel De Wereld. The rest of the day is devoted to Operation Market Garden, one of the most infamous military operations in WWII. Countless soldiers died in the course of this daring Allied invasion. The operation was immortalized in the movie A Bridge Too Far.

Along the route, we will visit impressive war cemeteries, such as the Canadian War Cemetery Groesbeek, and the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial Margraten. In Valkenburg, we will visit the marl caves. This is where some 400 people took shelter during heavy battles in 1944.

Time for relaxation and culinary outings

In addition to the cultural program, there is ample opportunity to relax and enjoy other attractions. You can go for a stroll through the beautiful castle gardens of Arcen, for instance. The holiday concludes in Maastricht. Here, you can spend the last afternoon on a shopping spree or people-watching on a terrace on the Vrijthof.

Travel information

Holland.com is the official website for the Netherlands as a tourist destination. The website is managed by the Netherlands Bureau for Tourism and Congresses. Read more about the organization and get to know the Holland.com editors.